page 2 woodford cedar run wildlife refuge | winter 2011

Save the Date!Wine

~and~Wildlife

SaturdayMay 21st, 2011

check out our website www.cedarrun.org for details!

Annual “Serenade for Wildlife”Enjoy an afternoon of light Classical Music at this joyous annual event to benefit the Refuge!Sunday, March 20th at 3pm Tickets: $15 advance/$20 at doorWe are holding our annual Serenade for Wildlife, a musical benefit hosted by William and Nancy Stokking. Mr. Stokking (principle cellist for the Philadelphia Orchestra, retired) and his wife, along with several of their highly talented students and friends, have graciously been donating their time and talent to this musical benefit for over 16 years now.

Please call for tickets or info: 856.983.3329 X100.

did you know? It is illegal to capture any snake, or other animal, from the wild and keep it as a pet in New Jersey. Let’s keep them wild.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us!Please remember we do not receive funds from local, state or federal governments.

We rely on youR donations to provide animal care and education programs for your community.

Please consider becoming a member!

See inside for details.

2011 Serenade for Wildlife Poster

Santa Bob! This past Holiday Season one of our most generous supporters, Bob Aaronson, went shopping at Lowes for items listed on our wish list. During the first week of January, Bob came to the Refuge loaded with surprises. After learning we went without power for days at a time last winter, Bob purchased two generators that will keep the wildlife and onsite staff safe and warm during emergencies. He also purchased a snow blower so our staff and volunteers no longer have to dig through a foot or more of snow in order to get to each enclosure to check on and feed our resident wildlife. Thanks also to Bob, we now have a very ingenious system of heatable, indoor enclosures that we can fill with water for injured turtles and orphaned water fowl. He purchased and donated so many items on our wish list it took nearly all of us to unload the truck. It was truly an emotion-filled day for everyone.

Bob humbly and graciously stated that he did this because of the dedication and commitment he sees in the staff and volunteers here at Cedar Run. He said he wanted to help make our jobs just a little easier, a little less overwhelming, and he has. Bob also helped with the completion of our recently constructed outdoor Environmental Education Pavilion, for which we will be hosting a ribbon-cutting this coming spring. Bob’s contributions to Cedar Run have a great impact and will continue to do so for years to come. It truly is the staff, volunteers and members like Bob that keep us moving forward.

Thank you Bob, and to all of you who make Cedar Run an awesome place to be. –Jeanne Gural

Take the Polar Plunge!The Sturbridge Lakes Association located in Voorhees, New Jersey is hosting a

“Polar Plunge” event to benefit Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 5th. Registration starts at 12:30pm and the plunging starts at 1pm.You can participate by making a pledge for each person who jumps in the cold water of the lake or by hosting a Wish List Item Fund Drive. Call or email us for details at info@cedarrun.org.

ta es from cedar runwinter 2011

www.cedarrun.org

woodford cedar run wildlife refugewoodford cedar run wildlife refuge

4 Sawmill RoadMedford, NJ 08055-8133

4 Sawmill RoadMedford, NJ 08055-8133

�REFUGE VISITING HOURS Monday – Saturday: 10am – 4pm Sunday: 12pm – 4pm

�

���WILDLIFE HOSPITAL INTAKE Summer: 9am – 9pm Winter: 9am – 5pm Seven Days per Week!

email info@cedarrun.orgphone 856.983.3329

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE

PAIDVINCENTOWN, NJ

PERMIT No. 94

Spotlight on: Tommy, the Eastern box turtleIn 2007, Tommy, a male Eastern box turtle was brought to us in fairly bad shape. He had been taken from the wild and kept as a family pet for several years. However, not understanding the type of nutrition a box turtle needs, the people fed Tommy an all-vegetarian diet. Eastern box turtles are omnivores. In the wild they consume invertebrates as well as vegetable matter.

As a result of not getting enough protein, Tommy developed a metabolic bone disorder. This condition resulted in a crack in his shell, a malformed beak (yes, turtles have beaks) and the loss of his ability to completely close his shell. A box turtle is so named because it has a hinge on its shell which allows the turtle to shut itself tightly inside for protection and hibernation. When Tommy lost this ability, he was not able to shield himself from the family’s dog. As a result, he lost most of his right hind leg.Tommy’s story contains a valuable lesson, as it is a clear example of why wild animals should never be taken as pets. While the family that found him did not mean him any harm, Tommy can never be released back into the wild.Please think about Tommy if you are ever tempted to keep a wild turtle as a pet. Enjoy them from a distance and let them live free. If you find a turtle that is in need of medical assistance, please bring it to an appropriate wildlife rehabilitator.Many types of turtles are often spotted crossing roads by people in vehicles. While this is dangerous to the turtle, it can also be a safety issue for those who try to help as well. If you are able to pull over to the side of the road, you can move the turtle across always in the direction it was headed while watching for passing traffic. As with any animal, you should always wash your hands after handling. (Keeping an old pair of gloves in your car for just such emergencies is always a good idea!) Please consider supporting this truly lovely event. Your generous

contribution will greatly help us continue our vital work in wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education and habitat preservation.We have several sponsorship levels available, please call for details:

•Composer  $1000 •Concertmaster BACK COVER $500•Concertmaster INSIDE COVER (Front or Back) $350

•Keynote Full Page $250 •Keynote halF Page $125

A passel of opossumsOpossums are the only North American marsupial, which means they are mammals with a pouch. Opossums are born just 13 days after conception, and they are so tiny that twenty newborns will fit in one tablespoon. They crawl into the mother’s pouch, latch onto a nipple and stay there for over two months. An adult opossum weighs 28,000 times what it did at birth. Compare that to a human, who weighs only 20 times its birth weight, and you can imagine just how small they are when they’re born.

Most of the orphaned opossums that come in to the Wildlife Hospital are found still clinging to their mother on the side of the road, after she has lost her life as a result of being hit by a vehicle. We see them in a range of sizes; some are just too small for us to help. However, with the help of a dedicated volunteer/opossum surrogate mother, we found a new formula from the National Opossum Society that works well for some of the tinier babies that come in. The smallest we successfully raised this year were only 14 grams. At this weight they were already two to three weeks old.

This year we released 81 opossums, an increase of 30 over the previous year. We also took in a few injured mothers with babies in their pouches. We gave them a safe place to recover and raise their young. It was neat to see the babies when they were old enough to come out of the pouch and cling to her back. They weighed her down so much she could hardly walk.

Although many people think opossums are ugly, the babies are very cute. Knowing a little more about their life cycle can give a new appreciation for just how amazing they are. –Stephanie Stewart

Above left: Newborn, 2-3 weeksRight: At about 4 months

♫ SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ♫

page 2 woodford cedar run wildlife refuge | winter 2011

Family programs: night hikes & “Wild Side” hikingOn Second Saturdays of the month, a naturalist will help you explore the Refuge during twilight hours. Call for times and themes or check our website for an updated schedule.Pre-registration is required. $10 per adult; $5 for ages 17 and under.On Third Sundays of the month, join our Naturalist in search of the wild! Meet at 1:30pm at the Education Center for a guided hike. Included in the price of admission.

Upcoming Events: mark your calendars!Night Hikes

February 12th 6-8pm “Whoo’s Out There?” Winter may seem like a quiet time but there are animals moving in the night. The deer move around and hoots can be heard echoing through the woods. Join our naturalist on a winter hike under the stars to discover, who is out there?

Naturalist HikesFebruary 20th 1:30pm “What are they eating?” This time of year it seems like there isn’t much for the animals to eat but you may be surprised to find what’s out there. Teaberry and holly berries are just two. Join our naturalist and hike the trails to discover what our winter residents are eating.March 20th 1:30pm “Spring Equinox Hike” Today is the spring equinox but what does that mean and what seasonal changes are about to occur? Join our naturalist and investigate the trails for signs of spring and find out what the equinox really means.April 17th 1:30pm “Earth Day Adventure” Explore the “unnatural trail” with our naturalist and discover ways you can help protect your local environment.

Home School ProgramsFebruary 10 1-3pm “Green Energy” Solar, wind, and water, oh my! Discover different types of energy we can use. How do they work? How can we use them? Come experiment with these alternative energies with us.March 10 1-3pm “Predator/Prey Relationships” Who’s eating who? Come discover the adaptations of predators versus prey. Are they really that different? Let’s find out as we talk about the eaters and the eaten of the animal world.April 14 1-3pm “See the Forest for the Trees” Join us as we make nature journals and head out into the forest to discover more about nature’s history books: trees. We’ll find out about the parts of trees, how to identify them, and much more!

Knee-High Naturalists February 10 1-2:30pm “Squirrels” March 10 1-2:30pm “Turtles” April 14 1-2:30pm “Caterpillars/Butterflies”

Eco-Club: 2nd Saturday of the month Special Events!

February 19th 11am-2pm “Birds, Birds and More Birds!” Each year people around North America venture out for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This annual four-day event engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from kids and beginning bird watchers to experts. What better place to count than here at the Refuge! Before heading outside, stop at the nature center to make a bird poster, learn how to use binoculars, and more! Then head out onto the Refuge to explore the Pines and discover our magnificent birds, all the while being a “Citizen Scientist”.Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ for more information about the GBBC. Included in the price of admission.April 9th 1-3pm “Wildlife Interest Project” For Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts only: Who’s living in your backyard? Join us for a study of the wildlife of the Pine Barrens. Learn to use field guides, make field sketches, identify tracks and more. Girls will rotate through stations to cover project requirements and will spend time with a naturalist learning about native New Jersey wildlife. Price is $7.00 per person. Please sign up in advance.

pine Barrens hall of Famer: our own terri loy!Each year the Pinelands Preservation Alliance sponsors the Pine Barrens Hall of Fame to honor those individuals in the fields of science, policy, education and activism who have played a significant role in preserving and protecting the New Jersey Pinelands. In 2010, our very own Terri Loy, Director of Education for Cedar Run, was honored for her passionate efforts to educate the next generation on the importance of protecting these unique ecosystems that occur right here in our own backyards. Terri’s acceptance speech for this prestigious award was so stirring, we think the best way to congratulate her on this achievement is by simply sharing with all of you these excerpts of the words she shared with us that evening. Congratulations Terri, on a job well done and thank you on behalf of a community well served.

“I am truly honored to be inducted into the Pinelands Hall of Fame. It’s amazing to me that I am being recognized for something that comes so natural to me. I am blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to live my passion through my work as the Director of Education and Outreach…• I believe that change can take place when I share

my world… my experiences… what I have learned… my enthusiasm for the living, the nonliving, the animals and the plants around me.

• I believe I change the world when I see the twinkle in the eyes of an inner city child turn from fear to excitement as we trail our way through the forest.

• I believe I change the world when seniors delight in a dance of butterflies that I have just tapped out of hiding from underneath the bark of a tree in the spring.

• I believe I change the world when a teacher comes back to Cedar Run year after year because she is excited to have her students engage in experiential learning.

• I believe I change the world when I can actually engage 8th graders in writing Wild Words describing something that benefits the ecosystem.

• I believe I change the world when a blind child is able to touch the softness of a live owl’s feathers.

• I believe these experiences connect people to the natural world of the Pinelands. They are left with a sense of belonging. The belonging encourages them to understand that they too can make a difference.

What affects one, affects all of us and hopefully with everyone’s efforts we will be able to preserve the Pinelands for all time.”

woodford cedar run wildlife refugeMISSIONWoodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge is a 174 acre wildlife refuge, wildlife rehabilitation hospital & environmental education center whose mission is to function as a definitive resource on the importance of protecting and enhancing healthy ecosystems for all. To that end, Cedar Run engages in: ecologically-based land management; the operation of a Federally and NJ State licensed hospital facility that cares for nearly 4,000 injured, orphaned or displaced native wild animals each year; the education of over 19,000 students annually through our various on-site and outreach programs; and serves as an active resource to the greater New Jersey community on all wildlife and habitat related questions and issues.

Jeanne A. WoodfordPRESIDENT

BOARD OF TRUSTEESKevin Sparkman, ChairmanDavid Stow, Vice ChairmanWalter B. Freas, Jr., SecretaryLisa Bosley, Treasurer

Joseph A. Cairone, JrPaula CarlsonJoseph Costanza, JrKenneth Dazen, DVMHoyt Demmerley, DDSRich EvoyDonald EyreCarleton K. MontgomeryWayne NevilleElmer C. Rowley (Emeritus)Ronald Rubin, Esq. Ruth H. SpendelowKen Wilson

STAFFJeanne M. Gural Executive Director

Terri Loy Director of Education and Outreach

Stephanie Stewart Wildlife Hospital Manager

Autumn with the Animals 2010This past November we hosted our annual Autumn with the Animals event. Slightly more than 500 people attended that day, enjoying naturalist-led hikes and activities, train rides through the woods, crafts, a behind-the-scenes look at our wildlife hospital, contests and many other fun adventures.

Thanks to the many volunteers, including the scout troops, who helped make this event possible. Thanks also to Brother Bear BBQ for serving up the great food!

EvEnT SPonSoRS:Ararat Carpet & FlooringCornerstone BankDietz & Watson, Inc.Roma BankTD BankJoseph A. Cairone, Inc.

did you know? In ninety days, a single toad can consume nearly 10,000 insects.

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$150 Level  bald eagle peregrine falcon barred owl

$50 Level screech owl flying squirrel  pine snake

$100 Level red-tailed hawk great-horned owl red fox gray fox

$35 Level corn snake American crow mute swan  groundhog

$75 Level American kestrel barn owl  raccoon white-tailed deer

$25 Level box turtle gray squirrel Canada goose  songbird

other ways to help! (please check below to receive information) YES! LEARN HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY WITH A BEQUEST GIFT. YES! JOIN OUR TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS.  YES! RUN A “WISHLIST” FUND DRIVE.

name

address

city state zip

phone email

adopt-a-wild-one! (please check your choices)If you are giving an adoption please also provide the name and address of the recipient.

Annual Adoptions include: Adoption Certificate with Color Photo • One Year Subscription to our publications • Educational Materials • One Free Visit to the Refuge

membership (please choose one)Annual memberships support our three-fold mission of habitat conservation, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. friend $1000 eagle club $500 sustaining $250 super family $100 family plus $50 family $30  individual $25

MEMBERS RECEIVE:• Free admission to the refuge • Invitation to members- only events• Our quarterly publications • Discounts on merchandise

Please mail form with your check to:Cedar Run WR4 Sawmill RoadMedford, NJ 08055 Thanks!We accept visa, MC, Amex and Discover cards.

woodford cedar run wildlife refuge Membership/Adoption Form

KnoW A Budding nAtuRE loVER?looKing FoR SomE SummER Fun?

SummER cAmpS 2011HALF & FULL-DAY CAMPS: Explore wetlands, woodlands and Cedar Run lake during our week-long ecology camps with hands-on activities and live wild animal experiences. Ages 4 -13.

June 27–August 12. Discount if you sign-up before April 15. Spots are still available!For more information visit www.cedarrun.org or call (856) 983-3329 ext. 103.